Crop Chemicals

In the 5 ag stories to read this week, learn about research to close the corn yield gap, as well as research to help farmers manage runoff and water use. Read 10 ag trends to watch for in 2015, and hear about more effective herbicide applications. Finally, enjoy a segment about the farmer wave.

Emerged weeds have the potential to reduce crop yield. Agronomists and weed scientists recommend using more soil residual herbicides at full use rates to take weed stress off non-residual postemergence herbicides by introducing multiple, effective modes of action, different chemistries and controlling weeds for longer periods of time before they emerge. This strategy is called the Overlap System....More

What's an effective herbicide alternative to combat weed resistance? That's a question Bryan Young, associate professor of weed science, Purdue University, gets asked often. Being effective has to do with making sure that the herbicide alternative you're using can control the weed species, he says....More

In the 5 ag stories to read this week, get some considerations for seed treatments when trying to cut costs this spring. If you plant cover crops, be aware of residual herbicides, and there's still time to sign up for the Conservation Stewardship Program. Read 5 tillage myths, and watch a video thanking farmers, that also helps FFA.

In the 5 ag stories to read this week, learn how farmers are becoming more compliant when planting a refuge for Bt corn, and make your farm bill choices in seven steps. Read new research that says climate change is impeding soybean yields, and see what's new for herbicides this year. Finally, enjoy a smile from some cows.

New weed control options, which include both veteran and new active ingredients, cleared major milestones on the road to commercialization in 2014. Dow AgroSciences, Monsanto and Syngenta have new herbicides available (or soon to be available) to growers to help combat resistant weeds in 2015....More

The EPA is registering a new insecticide, flupyradifurone, that is safer for bees. It is expected to be an alternative to more toxic products including certain pyrethroid, neonicotinoid, organophosphate and avermectin insecticides....More

The spread of multi-resistant waterhemp has led to increasing use of Group 14 herbicides, the protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitors that include Cobra, Flexstar, Ultra Blazer and others. Repeated use is exerting intense pressure on this diverse group of chemicals, weed experts warn....More

The five agriculture stories to read this week offer options for residual herbicides in soybeans, as well as tips for updating your crop yields with the Farm Service Agency under the new farm bill. Read a fertilizer outlook from Rabobank, and hear from Xpert Dan Frieberg about ag data ownership and knowledge. Finally, a happy holidays greeting from the CSD staff.

Managing editor Susan Winsor spoke with Ford Baldwin about weed resistance problems and how growers can manage the resistance issues that keep moving farther north. Baldwin offered farmers 5 things they can watch and do to keep weed resistance from becoming and even bigger problem....More